The goodness of god’s instructions
Like many families, we spend a portion of each Saturday doing household chores. On one such occasion, I had a difficult time opening a bottle of cleaner. I repeatedly twisted the cap. Squeezed. But only a few drops of liquid squirted out each time. Frustrated by the dysfunction of the cap, I decided to cut a hole in the top. Before locating the scissors, I noticed a strange and unusual word written on the back of the bottle: Instructions.
Captivated by the word, I read further. Instructions for childproof cap.
Amazingly, after consulting the easy to read and follow directions, I successfully opened the cap and the cleaning fluid flowed in a nice steady stream. While cleaning the kitchen that morning, I pondered how reluctant Christians often are to faithfully follow God’s divine commandments. The majority of God’s instructions are easy to read and understand, but they sure can be difficult to obey. Preferring to live life on our terms, we generally choose the course we believe is best and ignore the divine commandments that impede what we want to do. When something does not work out the way we hoped or planned, we stubbornly double down on our course of action and push harder. Rather than reading and following God’s directions, we use our might and willpower to railroad whoever we must in order to achieve our goals and accomplish our plans.
Too often we forget that God’s commandments were given for our good, making us vulnerable to questioning God and doubting His word. Because God loves us and wants what is best for us, He established boundaries to protect us from the destructiveness of sin. Sitting at a traffic light recently I watched a massive pickup truck barrel through a red light. The driver had no regard for the cars entering the intersection or for the people’s lives he put at risk. Traffic laws are determined by our civil government to safely move millions of vehicles through towns and cities all over this country each and every day. When these laws are ignored, tragedy often happens. This same principle applies when we foolishly disregard God’s laws.
In his classic work The Existence and Attributes of God, Stephen Charnock writes, “How admirable is Divine goodness! He hath sent His Son to die for us, and His written word to instruct us.”[1] In God’s divine goodness, He provided His word to instruct us. Not to hinder us or to make us miserable, but to provide the context in which we can enjoy an abundant life.
Ever wonder why you are so frustrated, impatient, angry, bitter, and resentful?
Ever wonder why your relationships are falling apart at the seams?
Ever wonder why you are often discouraged, disheartened, and isolated?
Ever wonder why misery seems to follow you around like a dark cloud?
God’s word provides divine instruction that applies to all aspects of life. Space does not allow for an exhaustive list, but there are particular areas in which many Christians fail to obey God’s commandments and live within His boundaries. It is possible that you are ignoring God’s instructions when it comes to your speech, attitude, work ethic, response to trials, management of conflict, reaction to people, interactions with others, service to Christ, or treatment of family, friends, or coworkers. If you are regularly ignoring God’s commandments in any of these areas, you will not experience peace in your life.
If you are tired of the destructive cycle of conflict, the absence of meaningful relationships, the lack of joy in your life, or crushing bitterness and resentment haunting your soul, it is time to identify the biblical commandments you are ignoring and commit to correcting the direction of your life. Stop being stubborn, unteachable, and arrogant. Humble yourself before God and follow His divine instructions. While obedience to God will not erase every hardship, restore every relationship, or mend every broken piece of your heart, it will revive your relationship with Christ and reestablish your hope and joy.
Take a few moments to read the following verses from Psalm 119 and take an honest assessment of your heart. Ask yourself if these verses describe how you approach God’s word. Mark the ones that do not describe you and develop a plan to correct your path.
“You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently” (v. 4).
“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (v. 16).
“Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end” (v. 33).
“I will keep your law continually, forever and ever” (v. 44).
“I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments” (v. 60).
“May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame (v. 80).
“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life” (v. 93).
“Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me” (v. 98).
“I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold” (v. 127).
“Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules” (v. 137).
“You are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true” (v. 151).
“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (v. 160).
“My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly” (v. 167).
Your opinions and excuses do not hold any authority when compared to God’s divine commandments. It is time to follow God’s instructions rather than your perspectives and justifications. Submit your life to the authority of Scripture and allow it to change you from the inside out.
[1] Stephen Charnock, The Existence and Attributes of God (Reformed Retrieval), 618.